An Update On JD For All of Our Wonderful Friends

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

By rights, this should go in the Health and Medical Issues Group, if anywhere. I hate posting a discussion in the general forum about sicknesses and problems, and I'm not looking for advice, but the response to my posts in the Food Group, the PMs and requests for updates from our friends here on DK has been so overwhelming, I thought I would just do it this way. Blog approval takes too long, and I'm really exhausted both physically and mentally. If there is one good thing that has come out of JD's illness, it's that I am blown away by the genuine caring and concern that our friends here have for him. Moved to tears, in fact.

Anyway, in a nutshell, JD has been ill for almost three weeks now. Started with lack of appetite, progressed to his not being able to keep his food down after his appetite returned. No fever, no diarrhea, no behavioral changes.

He does not ever, ever eat anything he shouldn't, and he is never unsupervised for one minute.

Food is not moving normally through his digestive tract, regardless of what kind, including homecooked and dehydrated raw. The food comes back up looking pretty much the way it did when it went in, even after more than 4 hours. No retching or heaving, either. Drinking water can set it off. He can hold down plain cooked poultry or beef with rice as long as he gets very small amounts at a time. THIS IS NOT A FOOD ISSUE.

He has lost over 5% of his body weight in the past two weeks.

He is not (and has never been) lethargic, his behavior is normal, he wants to play, and his appetite is ravenous.

We've been to the vet 4 times in the past two weeks, costs are past $1800. Numerous X-rays have been done, full blood chemistry panels, stool specimens, an ultrasound, and now a barium swallow. The latter is the only thing that showed anything, and the Xrays have been sent out to the radiologist for opinions on what it might be and whether an endoscopy is next on the list.  

We have ruled out pancreatitis, parasites, infections or viruses, liver issues, kidney issues, any kind of obstruction or blockage, and (ThankYouGod) megaesophagus.  

It does appear that the problem is with the upper part of the GI tract, probably esophageal, and the food is not moving through the digestive tract as rapidly as it should, again regardless of what kind or form we try. 

(The Xrays also showed that JD has osteoarthritis in his lower lumbar spine. This of course has nothing to do with the digestive issues, it's just more unhappy news I didn't need right now.)

JD is on three different meds now to help him keep the food down and prevent further irritation, and is to be fed 1 cup of cooked meat/chicken and rice 4x/day, while we wait for more answers.

Anyway, that's where we're at right now. Again, this is just an update to our friends who have expressed concern, we are doing everything we can. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person who has asked about him, both privately and publicly, because it's honestly what's helping us get through this. Hugs to you all.

 

 

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Stated perfectly Jane.  JD most definitely our most famous Dood in DKland!!  And Karen has always been there for all of us.  I just wish there was something we all could do for them.  I just can't stop thinking about them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, Jane, how would I have gotten through this without you? Tell Mr. M he'd better be careful with his mommy, JD and I need you!

[cheryl & oliver]

Karen, hugs to you and JD.  Lets hope they find what is causing this and take care of it.  You are always there for all of us, and of course we are there for you and the "Famous JD."...Keep us informed please...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Cheryl.

[Adina P]

Thank you for posting this and I sure hope whatever is wrong is really minor and he'll be back to being the picky, but not-famished, eater you're used to :-D

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Adina, even in sickness and famine, he did me proud. The barium was mixed into that horrible Rx dog food, and as hungry as he was, he refused to eat it. The vet had to hand feed him spoon by spoon and pretty much had to force it down! That's my boy!

[Adina P]

Wow!  Way to stand on principle, JD! :)

[Melanie and Girls]

Thank you for sharing. I hope you are able to figure out what is causing this asap. Hang in there!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Melanie.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Dood, you don't have to go on a hunger strike to get a new toy.  JJ, Jack.   Get better real soon. Please.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Joanne. He did get a new toy for his birthday! It was pretty much all he could have.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for taking the time to update us.  I hope you get some answers soon.  Hang in there, JD!  Halas and I are sending doodle hugs your way.